Tulcea, 12 - 17 May 2025 - GEOSTUD participated in the 32nd edition of the International Symposium "Deltas & Wetlands", as part of of the "Deltas & Wetlands" DDNI Scientific Events Community, organized by the National Research and Development Institute Danube Delta (INCDDD). The event, which has become a landmark for research and exchange of best practices in the field of wetland protection, brought together 20 countries and around 200 experts in environmental research, ecological engineering, biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems and wetlands. The symposium papers were organized in four sections, covering areas as diverse as biodiversity and nature conservation, environmental drivers and anthropogenic impacts, new research directions related to Mission Ocean, and the use of GIS and modelling systems.
GEOSTUD's participation in the event emphasizes the company's ongoing commitment to environmental protection and the development of sustainable practices in geotechnical and environmental consulting and research. The team that ensured the presence at the scientific symposium was formed by Dr. Eng. Raluca Nicolae, Technical Director of the Environment Department; Dr. Delia Dimitriu, Climate Impact Director; Mr. Vlad Sandu, International Development Director and Mr. Stefan Popescu, Head of the Environment Department. The format of the meeting was interactive, and Geostud representatives addressed key topics such as: methods and challenges related to field data collection in wetlands; the role of biodiversity in the functioning and balance of deltaic ecosystems; business models integrating sustainability criteria and examples of cooperation between deltaic regions with different ecological and socio-economic specificities.
On the agenda of the event were also debates on the theme "UN Mega Deltas Program: Climate Change Adaptation and Enhancing Ecosystem Services for a Resilient Future", the official symposium keynote, the poster session with 60 papers integrated in the thematic sections, as well as the round table dedicated to the analysis of the role of individual behavior, public policies and local innovation in the transition to zero emission buildings (ZEB), organized within the ReBORN project - a project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economy and Climate Action through the European Climate Initiative (EUKI). The event highlighted the potential of natural materials as sustainable solutions for the building sector and emphasized the importance of effective policies, education and cross-sectoral collaboration to generate real change.
The 3D section of the symposium showcased successful projects from the Danube Delta and the Danube Basin, such as HE-CSA EcoDALLi, HE-IA DaWetRest, Danube4All, Restore4Life and DANSER. It included a roundtable on stakeholder cooperation, panels on innovations for a blue future, opportunities and challenges in implementing the Mission Ocean objectives, presentations on the EU Oceans Pact's responsive ecological restoration initiative, inter-basin cooperation in wetland reconstruction and the development of evidence-based business models.
In a panel dedicated to the relationship between the Danube Delta and the Nile Delta, the Geostud team participated in a valuable exchange of perspectives with Dr. Hamada Mohamed Mahmoud, researcher at Beni Suef University in Egypt. Discussions focused on common environmental challenges and possible solutions, with an emphasis on conservation policies, environmental education and active involvement of local communities.
The debates during the event were joined by renowned professors from both Romania and abroad, including Mrs. Andreea Strachinescu - Head of Unit, DG MARE; Prof. Dr. Liviu Giosan - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Prof. Dr. Ing. Tudor Prisecaru and Prof. Dr. Eng. Eduardo Leite - University of Madeira; Prof. Dr. Enikő Anna Tamás - Ludovika University of Public Service; Prof. Dr. Mirna Habuda-Stanić - University of Osijek; Prof. Dr. Jurica Jug-Dujaković - University of Dubrovnik etc.
In this context, the symposium provided an essential platform for the exchange of knowledge, ideas and experiences in the field of wetland ecology and health, and the conclusions and directions outlined during the event will guide GEOSTUD's future involvement in international research and cooperation projects dedicated to wetland conservation and responsible natural resource management.
